A lot of Firsts

I think in some ways, we knew that by adopting a child from China that Kameron would get to experience a lot of firsts once he was in our family. However, I do not think we fully realized just how many we would get to have! And we have enjoyed him teaching us a lot of firsts. Now that Kameron is the oldest Maddux boy, we are encountering lots of older child things. Like, "I know you love zombies, but no you may not watch the Walking Dead."

It is amazing how much he already knows too! He took our pineapple and put it in salt water. Jesse and I looked at him like he was nuts! But he assured us he "saw it on a cooking show once." And DANG, was he RIGHT! It was good, ya'll! This boy has a great penchant for food!

He has been a trooper and tried many American foods, despite it being pretty clear he misses authentic Chinese food. Especially the spicy Yunnan foods!  He has experienced his first snow. His first sibling fight. Oh, and my favorite: his first marshmellow roast. And he loved them! He looked at us like we were nuts at first. But one taste and he was smiling BIG time and asking for more!

There have been some sweet and funny moments. Like when Kameron made Noah a hat for his bubble bath tonight.

Or how he thoroughly scoured the dollar store looking for the perfect Christmas gifts for his brothers. He definitely is a gift-giver. He doesn't seem to like getting just himself something. His brothers have to get something too. 

Soon, he will experience his very first birthday celebration (that is right. The very first. Birthday's are not typically celebrated in mainland China) and 4 days later, his very first Christmas. It has been so fun watching his curiosity and amazement with our traditions. Dad putting up Christmas light. The decorating of the Christmas tree. Picking out a stocking. Looking at the neighborhood lights and decorations, etc.

He is learning more and more English. Noah has been a BIG help! Kameron has "cars" "no" "iPad" and "mine" down solid. Kameron's first sentence, nearly brought me to tears! "We are family." Oh buddy, what a perfect thing to say as your first sentence in English!

Kameron already fits in well with his brothers. 

Everyone seems to be settling in. We have all been home together for over 2 weeks. The jet lag has finally subsided. The biggest thing we are learning is about boundaries. And how important it is to respect those. Every single one of us is learning this right now. And sometimes, that is downright tough! And it can often feel like walking in a field of landmines. You never know when one might go off. We are learning to trust one another. To find those bonding moments. And communication is getting.. well, not so much "easier" but definitely less complicated.

Jesse Jay, Toby, and Noah love having Kameron home. Jesse Jay was so sad to go to school and not be with him during the school day (and Jesse Jay really loves school!) that he tried to feign illness to stay home. Christmas break cannot come soon enough for him! Toby pushes Kameron's buttons the most. But he also is the best at discovering things about him we did not know. Noah likes that Kameron slips him treats constantly. He doesn't like the "take Noah's bink game" that Kameron finds so funny.

We have felt very blessed by our friends and family. We have been brought meals almost daily the past two weeks. When our dryer went out, a handful of friends and family did our laundry for us at a time we  couldn't just load it up and take it to a laundry mat, like we typically would. Friends and family who check in and encourage us, but make sure I do not linger on the phone too long so I might return to my guys. Thank you all. It really means a lot! Cocooning is going well. Each day we continue to see progress!